3 Simple Golf Secrets. Save 3 Strokes! 45 minutes Yes!
Are you one of those golfers who make crucial errors before arriving at the first tee for a golf game?
These mistakes usually occur in the driving range practice area. That is, of course , assuming the player ever went near the range. It is a common, but misunderstood belief that pre-golf practice is either a warmup, or a time to fix a swing fault.
The majority of golfers make at least 3 serious mistakes before they arrive at the first tee. In a word, few prepare . As a result a significant amount of strokes are lost without knowing why.
This article will suggest some techniques which, if followed, can save 2-3 strokes per round of golf.
Mistake number one is a lack of planning for the range time. Amateur golfers rarely think of the practice facility as a specific organized event. Even fewer golfers know what to organize. The player must understand that immediately prior to a day's golf is not the time to be working on swing issues. Range time is a preparation for play, a time in which he should work “with the swing he brought”, not to look for his best golf swing. It is not problem solving time. It is a dress rehearsal for the performance.
At a minimum some basics for a worthwhile practice session are:
Arrive early, and relaxed. Eat lightly, have healthy snacks on hand
Do 5 minutes of specific golf exercises as a warmup
The proper golf practice club sequence is from lower to higher clubs
Don't just beat balls
Since this is a dress rehearsal for the performance -what and how should the player plan? One needs a strategy. Here are a few basic techniques to consider.
The golfer must visualize, in advance, a few golf situations which he is likely to encounter during the upcoming round. He should practice those shots with appropriate clubs. As an example, visualize a particular golf hole which calls for a 5 iron , then with that image in mind , pick a target area on the range, at a 5 iron distance and then make 4-5 strokes in 3 minutes. The operative action here is to think, not just swing.
Failure to use ones mind on the range as a warmup for the real thing is a critical mistake. It directly relates to number one error. A simple mental drill might go like this.
Visualize 2-3 holes, either your favorite or your least favorite, and then “play” them on the range. Pitching and chipping games should be a critical part of this warmup. Select specific targets, use basic pre-shot routines, as you would ( or should) do on the course. 20 minutes in this segment is adequate.
Jack Nicklaus said , he never practiced without “seeing” each attempt, before executing the same. Most golfers do not practice this thinking on the range. They carry the same habits onto the golf course.
Put your routine in writing , and try to follow it every time as your golfing preparation. The whole practice session, if planned well in advance, should take less than an hour.
Practice using your driver 4-5 times to end the range session. Be sure to visualize the first hole! The driver is adrenalin charged, but you want minimal testosterone flowing as you approach the first tee box. Strive for calm, not noise. Make your bets early, not at the tee box.
The last element of range practice is putting. Be positive, and don't hang around with those who lament the green conditions or their own short swing problems. Do not hang with negativity.
You should alternate short, long, and medium putts. Work on relaxed forearms and wrists. Strive for soft feelings and a neutral mind set. Visualize your putts, don't be mindless on the green. Can you feel the green speed with your eyes closed from 10 feet? Work on that for a few putts. You will be amazed at what you can feel!
Your session should not exceed an hour. Remember, the process is not just to hit balls, but to rehearse your golf course game plan. Do not make this a struggle. Make it your own private game. If your goal is to improve, just to have fun, or to engage in high level competition, the practice area is where your focus should begin.
Try these techniques next time you play. I guarantee improvement in your score, and your fun quotient!
On a final note, choose your cart partner carefully.
Bruce Baird is the founder and CEO of The Nationwide Golf Schools. Join us at www.weteachgolf.com